The Essence of Qurbaani and Hajj

Hakeemul Ummat Mujaddidul Millat Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi

(Quddisa Sirruhul Azeez)

 ROOHUL AJJ WATH THAJJ OR THE ESSENCE OF QURBAANI AND HAJJ

Particulars of the Lecture

Where: Jaami’ Masjid Thanabawan, [India]

When: Jumu’ah, 8^th Shawwaal, 1333 AH

Duration: 3 hours 8 minutes

Mode: Sitting

Topic: The Essence of Hajj

Reason for the Lecture: The Season of Hajj

Recorder: Moulana Abdul Haleem Saheb Lucknowi (Rahmatullahi alaih)

Estimated Audience: 200

Summary of the Aayaat Recited in the Khutbah

In these Aayaat [Verses 26-29 of Surah Hajj recited in the Khutbah], Haqq Jalla Shaanuhu has mentioned the topic of Hajj and Qurbaani primarily, and some types of monetary expenditure secondarily.

In these Aayaat, He firstly addressed the episode of Ibraheem (Alaa Nabiyyina Wa’alaihis Salaam) and then proceeded to address the Ummat [followers; nation] of Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). This is the summary of the Aayaat.

The Month of Shawwaal and Hajj

The reason for selecting these Aayaat is that it is my practice to speak on something appropriate for the occasion and according to the need.

It is the work of an author to bring together contents which are necessary, or may be necessary, without exclusion. However, the role of a speaker, whom we call waa’iz, is just this much that he speaks on what is appropriate for the occasion.

For this reason, it is my practice after Ramadhaan and Eid to speak on general matters pertaining to Hajj, as after Ramadhaan it is the month of Shawwaal which is among the months of Hajj. Allah, Jalla wa Alaa, has mentioned this in one Aayat:

اَلْحَجُّ اَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُوْمٰتٌ

The Months of Hajj are well-known.

(Al-Baqarah, 197)

The interpretation [of the months] is given as: Shawwaal, Zul Qa’dah and Zul Hijjah. So, the months of Hajj commence from Shawwaal.

It does not mean that one can perform Hajj in this month. Rather, it means that once it is Shawwaal, Hajj can be commenced without any reprehensibility (karaahat).

‘Commencing’ means the Ihraam [intention of Hajj, recitation of the Talbiyah and donning of the Ihraam shrouds]. Although the Ihraam will be valid even before Shawwaal, but that is Makrooh [reprehensible]. Commencing from Shawwaal is valid without reprehensibility.

In view of Ihraam being a precondition for Haj, like Takbeer [saying ‘Allahu Akbar’] is a precondition for Salaat, that is, a precondition which resembles a Rukn [element], hence Shawwaal and Zul Qa’dah have been declared to be among the months of Hajj.

Zul Qa’dah being among the months of Hajj is obvious, as the major Arkaan [elements] of Hajj take place in that month.

Speaking About Haj in Shawwaal

It is, therefore, my habit to speak about Hajj at the beginning of Shawwaal. On this occasion, as well, it was my prior intention to discuss it. Similarly, I have already decided to speak on Qurbaani during the days of Qurbaani.

Just as the topics of Fasting, Taraaweeh, I’tikaaf, Shab-e-Qadar and Eid were discussed in an exclusive manner during Ramadhaan – never before were they discussed in that manner – I thought of speaking about Hajj in Shawwaal, and about Qurbaani in Zul Hijjah, in that same exclusive manner, so that all these themes of one pattern be published in one volume. Hence, I appointed the same friend to transcribe this lecture, who recorded the lectures of this Ramadhaan. I have even told him to come in Zul Hijjah, so that the lecture which will be given in regard to Qurbaani can be recorded as well.

(To be continued, Insha Allah)